---
title: Shape.Copy Method (Visio)
keywords: vis_sdr.chm11251005
f1_keywords:
- vis_sdr.chm11251005
ms.prod: visio
api_name:
- Visio.Shape.Copy
ms.assetid: 2579682b-1dd3-7579-271d-a9994b91a933
ms.date: 06/08/2017
---


# Shape.Copy Method (Visio)

Copies a shape to the Clipboard.


## Syntax

 _expression_ . **Copy**( **_Flags_** )

 _expression_ A variable that represents a **Shape** object.


### Parameters



|**Name**|**Required/Optional**|**Data Type**|**Description**|
|:-----|:-----|:-----|:-----|
| _Flags_|Optional| **Variant**|Determines how shapes are translated during the copy operation.|

### Return Value

Nothing


## Remarks

Possible values for  _Flags_ are declared by the Visio type library in **VisCutCopyPasteCodes** , and are described in the following table.



|**Flag**|**Value**|**Description**|
|:-----|:-----|:-----|
| **visCopyPasteNormal**|&;H0|Follow default copying behavior.|
| **visCopyPasteNoTranslate**|&;H1|Copy shapes to their original coordinate locations.|
| **visCopyPasteCenter**|&;H2|Copy shapes to the center of the page.|
| **visCopyPasteNoHealConnectors**|&;H4|Do not clean up connectors attached to cut shapes.|
| **visCopyPasteNoContainerMembers**|&;H8|Do not cut and copy unselected members of containers or lists.|
| **visCopyPasteNoAssociatedCallouts**|&;H16|Do not cut and copy unselected callouts associated with shapes.|
| **visCopyPasteDontAddToContainers**|&;H32|Do not add pasted shapes to any underlying containers.|
| **visCopyPasteNoCascade**|&;H64|Do not offset shapes on copy.|
Setting  _Flags_ to **visCopyPasteNormal** is the equivalent of the behavior in the user interface. You should use **visCopyPasteNormal** and the other flags consistently. For example, if you use the value **visCopyPasteNoTranslate** to copy, you should also use that value to paste, because that is the only way to ensure that shapes are pasted to their original coordinate location.

To make a copy without using the Clipboard, use the  **Duplicate** method.


## Example

The following example shows how to use the  **Copy** method. It draws a rectangle and then copies it to the Clipboard.


```vb
 
Public Sub Copy_Example() 
 
 Dim vsoShape As Visio.Shape 
 
 Set vsoShape = ActivePage.DrawRectangle(1, 5, 5, 1) 
 
 'Copy the shape to the Clipboard. 
 vsoShape.Copy 
 
End Sub
```


